French Hospital Provides Wine Bar for Dying Patients

November 17, 2014

Unlocking Word Meanings
 今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. terminally-ill /ˈtɜr mə nli ɪl/ (adj.) – suffering an illness that cannot be cured, causing death
ExampleTerminally-ill patients must always remain in bed.

2. brainchild /ˈbreɪnˌtʃaɪld/ (n.) – a concept or idea that is first thought by a person
Example: Building a library in the hospital was the brainchild of the patient.

3. cuisine /kwɪˈzin/ (n.) – a particular way of cooking and preparing food
Example: My sick mother prefers the Japanese cuisine to French cuisine.

4. privilege /ˈprɪv lɪdʒ/ (n.) – a special benefit given only to a particular person or group under a particular circumstance
Example: The patient would be given the privilege of going to the park if she responds well to the medicine.

5. pass away /pæs, pɑs əˈweɪ/ (v.) – to die
Example: The hospital gives assistance to the families of patients who have passed away.


Article
 ニュース記事

Read the text below.
A French hospital recently opened a wine bar for the pleasure and comfort of terminally-ill patients.

In September, the Clermont-Ferrand [klair-mo FEH-ruh nd] University Hospital became the first medical center in the country to have a wine bar especially for dying patients. Brainchild of Dr. Virginie Guastella [VUR-ji-nee gah-st EH luh], the wine bar serves authentic French alcohol including whiskey, local wines, and champagne. 

Though these services are the first of its kind in France, improving the food in hospitals is not new in the United States. A select number of US medical centers believe that hospital food is an essential element in the patients’ recovery process. One among these hospitals is the Memorial Sloan [slohn] Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Its nutrition doctors and chefs have been working hand in hand to improve the hospital’s cuisine. Sloan Kettering reportedly provides food similar to that of five-star restaurants and a room-service program similar to those in first-rate hotels.

According to Veronica McLymont [muh k-LAHY mnt], director of food and nutrition services in Sloan Kettering, the hospital’s goal is to improve the patients’ appetite and diet for an easier recovery.

Most importantly, however, McLymont believes that being served with food that is cooked and presented with quality should be a given privilege to patients, especially those who are to pass away. Providing excellent and healthy food is a respectable way to give dying patients the best comfort, she said. Dr. Guastella shares the same opinion, saying that terminally-ill patients should be allowed to indulge in the best flavors the world can offer.

Viewpoint Discussion
 ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Would you want this kind of service in the hospitals in your country? Why or why not?
·         What food or drink policy would you recommend to the hospitals in your country? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         What other privileges would you want to give hospital patients? Please explain your answer.
·         How else do you think hospitals in your country should be improved? Please discuss briefly.

November 17, 2014